A BELOVED local who served in the fire service for many years and did all he could for the community died on Christmas Eve - only a few months after celebrating his 60th wedding anniversary.
Peter Clarke - born in Wath - moved to Darfield more than 50 years ago and in the time since became a dedicated and invaluable member of the community, involving himself in countless roles.
He was on the governing board at Upperwood Junior and Infants School and Darfield Foulstone School for many years, was an organiser of the former Longbow Communal Bonfire Association and was quizmaster and setter of the quiz nights at the Longbow and later Darfield Cricket Club.
For a long time he was involved with Ardsley Air Scouts’ ‘Cub’ section, firstly as a leader named Baloo and later took over as Akela.
He drove wedding cars for Tom Fisher and funeral cars for GM Charlesworth and Son and was a magistrate at the Barnsley Magistrates’ Court for a number of years.
However things had grown difficult in recent years as he suffered with various illnesses and just before Christmas he was rushed to Barnsley Hospital where, on Christmas Eve, he died aged 82, with his wife of 60 years Janet by his side.
Janet, who has worked as a correspondent for the Chronicle for more than 30 years, said: “He was a lovely character - I’ve got loads of cards, people really respected him and have written nice messages about things like his smile.
“He was well-liked - he did a lot for the community, he was wonderful.”
The pair met at Wath Trinity Methodist Church’s youth club Bonfire Night when they were teens and got married, at the same place, in 1964.
On October 10, he and Janet celebrated their 60th anniversary and were inseparable throughout their time together, working alongside one another at the Scouts where their two sons - Simon and Jason - also attended, making it ‘a family affair’.
A highlight of this time was when he would pull out and dust off a full Mr Blobby suit that he wore to Christmas parties as well as other functions.
“My sister was in Exeter recently and explaining what happened,” she added.
“It turns out someone there knew Peter - they went to Doncaster Scouts Group and remembered him showing up as Mr Blobby.
“It’s those things that make it easier.”
Though despite all of these acts, his main role was in the fires service, which he joined in 1960 at v was stationed at Brampton Fire Station
Other than a brief stint as a leading fireman at Barnsley Fire Station, Peter spent more than two decades at Brampton until his retirement in 1985.
He went on to work at Barnsley Crematorium as a crematorium operator for a number of years and spent the last few years of his working life driving a Barnsley Council Hackney carriage along with his son Simon.
As was his wish, the family will not be holding a funeral, but are planning a party to celebrate his life in the coming weeks.
“Everybody loved him, no one had a bad word to say.
“I’ve known him for 65 years and never saw him get aggressive, he just wasn’t that type of person.
“It’s hard, but I know he would want me to carry on with life and I’ve got family and friends nearby who have been absolutely wonderful.”
